We don’t care if having a song on Twilight soundtrack is uncool, says Muse frontman Matt Bellamy

MUSE frontman Matt Bellamy doesn’t care if people think his band’s involvement in the Twilight films is uncool.

The 31-year old singer and guitarist admits to being a massive fan of the vampire movie franchise.

So it’s no wonder Muse have had a song in each of the three movies. Or that they want to continue this run in next year’s Breaking Dawn film and the rumoured second part of the final Stephenie Meyer novel in 2012.

Matt shrugged: “Of course it doesn’t matter we have gained fans because of Twilight and that might seem to be uncool. That doesn’t bother me at all.

“As a band you are represented everywhere. We also have a gig for Guitar Hero, of all things.

“Muse as a video game – that’s something, right?”

In the original Twilight film, the trio’s song Supermassive Black Hole was used, while on New Moon they had I Belong To You (New Moon Remix) on the soundtrack. In upcoming third movie Eclipse, the band have Neutron Star Collision (Love is Forever).

Matt added: “It’s great to be involved and it’s so much fun. I like the movies a lot. They’re really good and we hope to continue with this and do another song.”

Being such a big fan it’s surprising Matt hasn’t met Robert Pattinson, who plays vampire Edward, alongside Kristen Stewart as Bella in the franchise.

He said: “I haven’t met him yet, but we have a meeting scheduled. I am looking forward to it already. It’s so nice that Robert and I both come from England. We will understand each other and have common ground.”

The band’s latest Twilight track reached No.11 in the charts last month and was the lead song from The Twilight Saga: Eclipse film soundtrack, which is out on Monday.

It also features Florence and The Machine’s Heavy In Your Arms, The Dead Weather’s Rolling In On A Burning Tire and Vampire Weekend’s Jonathan Low. Eclipse is in cinemas from Friday, July 9, so Matt will miss it – the band are headlining T in the Park that day.

And the Muse trio – Matt, drummer Dominic Howard and bass player Christopher Wolstenholme – could well do their own eclipsing over fellow headliners Eminem (who plays Saturday night) and Kasabian (who play Sunday’s closing night).

It is hoped Muse will bring some of their new touring set which includes a chrome UFO, an all-seeing eye and a futuristic pyramid-shaped office building for their T spot. The Balado festival takes place from July 9-11.

They last played T in 2004, headlining the NME Stage and the band are ready to show Scots fans what they have been missing, especially Matt’s amazing showmanship.

Where on earth does he get his energy from?

Matt laughed: “It has a lot to do with being nervous. Before every performance I always cheat a bit and look through a curtain at the fans out there.

“They can’t see me, but I can see them. This gives you an adrenaline rush. It’s nuts.”

Now in Europe and playing Germany tomorrow, Muse have done what few British bands have been able to do – crack America.

They are filling stadiums in the USA as well as Europe. Last year’s fifth album, The Resistance, was No.1 across the globe, from Britain and Germany to Australia and Italy, and peaked at No.3 in America.

Matt admits the band still can’t quite believe that 10 years after their debut album Showbiz, they are now rock giants and seen as one of the best live acts in the world.

Matt said: “It’s unbelievable, I have to pinch myself every day.

“Our tour in America was incredibly successful. We played to a crowd of 20,000 people. It added to the success we already had in Europe. It was a huge celebration for us.”

This is because not every British band is successful in America. For every Muse, Coldplay and Dido who make it, there’s an Oasis or Robbie Williams who fail to crack the US.

Matt sees the band’s early days when they had to play half-empty halls, as an important learning curve. He said: “I think for any band it’s important. You can only really discover what’s in you when you experience the really painful defeats.”

Since the trio got together in Teignmouth, Devon, back in 1994, they have battled the music industry at almost every turn.

Their progressive rock sound, almost classical in its complexity, their love of sci-fi and conspiracy theories, and Matt’s vocal acrobatics, saw them having to go to America initially to get signed.

They threatened to sue Celine Dion in 2002 when she planned to name her Las Vegas show “Muse,” despite the band owning the worldwide performing rights to the name.

Matt later said he didn’t want people thinking Muse were Dion’s backing band and the singer dropped the name.

Then tragedy struck after a triumphant gig at Glastonbury in 2004, which the band described as “the best gig of our lives”. Drummer Dominic’s father, who was at the festival to watch them, died from a heart attack shortly after their performance.

But the band didn’t give up and came back with their stunning fourth album in 2006, Black Holes and Revelations, which included the epic singles Starlight, Knights of Cydonia and Map of the Problematique.

Matt said: “I would say to the band, ‘Carry on, never give up.’ But you need a little bit of luck, too.

“People need to hear the music but it’s very important for me and my band that we remain constant and that we have always believed in what we do.

“Ultimately, I would say to anyone who’s in that position, remember your music is important.”

Drummer Dominic and Matt look so alike they could be taken for brothers, but the band are all just good friends who keep each other going.

Matt added: “We all get along, but we also argue. We’re almost like brothers. We have known each other for ages.”

Matt has some advice for young musicians waiting for their big break. He said: “Perseverance is needed, above all else. Show yourselves and play everywhere you can. Early in my career I was playing in the street for a couple of pounds as a busker, but I was still playing my music. You have to love what you do.”

Matt was born to be a musician. His father George was rhythm guitarist in the 1960s pop group The Tornados. They were the first British band to have a No.1 in America, with Telstar.

With that kind of pedigree, Matt never had a Plan B. He started playing piano at age six and the guitar when he was 14.

He said: “I knew by the age of 10, I wanted to be a musician. That has not changed.”

To relax, Matt, who lives in Lake Como, Italy, goes horse-riding and diving. He split up with his Italian girlfriend last year and has been linked to Lily Allen.

But he won’t be tuning in to see who wins tomorrow’s Britain’s Got Talent final.

He says: “I don’t really like these kind of shows. No real artists are made from them, just karaoke singers.

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“Breaking Dawn” Daily Quote/s

At least, if had to be bundled up, Edward's shirt was on the floor. I never got
over the shock of how perfect his body was – white, cool, and polished as marble.
I ran my hand down his stone chest now, tracing across the flat planes of his
stomach, just marveling. A light shudder rippled through him, and his mouth
found mine again. Carefully, I let the tip of my tongue press against his glasssmooth
lip, and he sighed. His sweet breath washed – cold and delicious – over
my face.

Breaking Dawn / BOOK ONE: BELLA / Ch 2. LONG NIGHT

My Favorite “Twilight Saga” Quotes

About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was part of him — and I didn’t know how potent that part might be — that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.

Of course, I’ll always love you… in a way. But what happened the other night made me realize that it’s time for a change. Because I’m… tired of pretending to be something I’m not, Bella. I am not human!

It had not been Edward and Jacob that I’d been trying to force together, it was the two parts of myself, Edward’s Bella and Jacob’s Bella. But they could not exist together, and I never should have tried.